A Letter From The Publisher: Feb. 23, 1962

FOR its cover story on a Japanese businessman. TIME asked the celebrated
Japanese artist Nampu Katayama to paint the portrait. An academy
"immortal" at 74, Katayama had never done a commission for a foreign
publication before. The negotiations, at his home in a bamboo grove on
the outskirts of Tokyo, were delicate and cordial, though his lively
wife broke in at one point: "Don't you ever believe him when he says he
can meet your deadline. For one portrait he was behind for one whole
year." Katayama delivered on time, wearing a pleased and...